Jimmy Andersson winner of Men’s Singles 40 Years (Photo: Lars Lanhed, Masonit Design)
by Ian Marshall, Editor
In Stockholm China’s Fan Zhendong and Japan’s Mima Ito were displaying their skills, winning the respective men’s Singles and women’s Singles titles at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open.
On the same day, Sunday 4th November, on the opposite coast of the country in Gothenburg, there was equally intense competition; play was concluding in what has become the biggest veteran tournament in Northern Europe, the 40th edition of the Idrottsforengingen Ifo.
Venue for the proceedings was the Exercishusets Sporthall, the destination for no less than 114 players; in addition to the host nation players travelled from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, Germany, Norway, Poland and Russia.
Play commenced on Friday 2nd November with Men’s Team being the order of the day; the age groups being 40 to 49 years and 60 years and over.
Overall a total of 68 team matches were played; the aim was to offer a minimum of three matches for each team, thus a group stage commenced matters followed by a main draw and consolation. It was a busy but most worthwhile schedule.
Similarly, in the individual events play was organized in two stages, a group phase followed by main draw and consolation.
Intense competition but on the Saturday evening the hall was transformed; some 60 guests enjoyed a three course dinner with live music, dancing.
Play concluded on Sunday with men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles events; proceedings being organied on ninewtables.
A successful tournament and great credit to the local Ifo Club; they provided all the umpires and thus reached standards equivalent to the World Veteran Championships and the European Veteran Championships.
Throughout, as efficiently as always, proceedings were overseen by the host club’s Hans Westling, the Chair of the World Veteran Championships Organising Committee.